Biomorphic microchanneled electrodes for enhanced water desalination through capacitive deionization

Abstract

This work reports the preparation of rattan-derived carbon electrodes and their application in capacitive deionization technology for desalination. Desalination tests were performed with different concentrations of simulated seawater in a continuous mode with gravity as the driving force and applied voltages of 0.8 and 1.2 V. Electrosorption kinetics were performed to verify desalination of the saline solutions over time. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the microstructure of the biomorphic carbon is composed of porous microchannels with diameters of around 300 mm, which allowed both fluid flow and ion retention. The kinetics of the electrosorption presented excellent results concerning desalination of highly concentrated solutions using low voltages.